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Backcountry.com is a one-stop shop for all types of outdoor gear, and their Labor Day Sale, which runs through Monday, September 2, is a great time to save on top-rated products from some of the best brands in the business. From packs for backpacking, running, and travel to clothing like rain shells and ski bibs, it’s an excellent chance to invest in quality gear without breaking the bank. Below we outline the dates and details of Backcountry’s annual sale, along with six of our favorite discounted items.
This article has been sponsored by Backcountry, but the picks and descriptions below were made independently and based on our experiences with and opinions of the products.
Backcountry Labor Day Sale Dates and Details
Backcountry’s annual sale kicked off mid-August but ramps up in earnest from August 28 through September 2. During this stretch, you can shop online at Backcountry.com and save some serious cash on products from outdoor leading brands like Black Diamond, Osprey, Flylow Gear, and many more. Shipping is free on orders over $50, and all items are covered by Backcountry’s 90-day return policy (note: Products must be unused and in their original packaging in order to be eligible for a full refund). Importantly, sale dates vary by product—some are discounted already, while others don’t go on sale until August 31—so we recommend doing your research ahead of time and shopping as soon as possible due to limited inventory. Below we outline some of our top picks for on-sale gear, including backcountry-ready clothing, camping accessories, and packs for backpacking, travel, and running.
Our Favorite Labor Day Deals
Black Diamond Men’s Stormline and Women's Stormline Stretch Rain Jacket
Regardless of how you choose to get outside, a quality rain jacket is likely a key part of your kit. Black Diamond’s Stormline is a longtime staff favorite and stands out from traditional designs in one major way: the addition of stretch. With 12% elastane built into the fabric, the Stormline offers an enticing combination of protection and comfort. The interior is soft against the skin and avoids the crinkly, plasticky feel common among many traditional rain shells, and the generous amount of “give” in the fabric translates to excellent tear and abrasion resistance (along with great overall mobility). Finally, we appreciate that the Stormline comes mountain-ready with a climbing helmet-compatible hood, a water-resistant front zipper, and pit zips for dumping excess heat—all at a competitively low weight. For a step down in technical performance but better everyday appeal, Patagonia’s Torrentshell 3L Jacket is also discounted during the Labor Day Sale.
See the Men's BD Stormline Stretch See the Women's BD Stormline Stretch
Osprey Men’s Exos 38L and Women's Eja 38L Backpack
Osprey is one of the biggest names in backpacking, and their Exos pack is a great option for minimalists looking to keep weight low without totally eschewing creature comforts. It’s not the lightest design out there at 2 pounds 11.1 ounces for the 38-liter version (in a size S/M), but the additional weight translates to a boost in organizational features, carrying comfort, and ventilation. Specifically, you get a robust suspension system, practical storage, an adjustable torso length, and a relatively plush backpanel—all of which are often sacrificed in some way when going truly ultralight. And we like the 38-liter capacity, which is small for overnights but crosses over well for gear-intensive day hikes. If you prefer something bigger, the Exos 48L and Exos 58L are also on sale, as is the women’s Eja collection that closely mirrors the men’s lineup.
See the Men's Osprey Exos 38L See the Women's Osprey Eja 38L
Flylow Gear Men’s Baker Bib
We’re suckers for a quality pair of ski bibs—compared to pants, bibs offer better coverage for sealing out snow and cold drafts, boast additional storage, and will certainly earn you more style points on the slopes. Among the myriad options on the market, Flylow Gear’s Baker is a consistent top performer and one of the most well-rounded designs we’ve tested. In addition to reliable wet-weather performance via Flylow’s in-house 3-layer membrane, the Baker is built to last with a thick face fabric and even burlier reinforcements at the knees and cuffs. You also get ample pockets for stashing daily essentials, along with massive side vents—one of which extends to the top of the bib for bathroom breaks—and zippered openings along the inner thigh, which allow you to dump heat on spring days or during the odd bootpack into the sidecountry. From wet, unruly conditions to bottomless powder days, the Baker can handle it all.
See the Men's Flylow Gear Baker Bib
Black Diamond Volt Lantern
Camping is all about maximizing comfort in the outdoors, and even small accessories like a lantern can go a long way toward creating a cozy, home-in-the-woods experience. Options range from feature-packed designs with integrated solar panels and tons of lighting modes to small and streamlined models for bringing into the backcountry. Black Diamond's Volt lands in a lucrative middle ground with a respectable 250-lumen max output, a port for powering up electronics, and a rechargeable battery (it's also compatible with AAs) that boasts a respectable run time of 24 hours at full tilt. We also like the deployable loop at the bottom for hanging from a branch or inside your camping tent, and the compact form makes it easy to stuff in your pocket while moving around camp.
See the Black Diamond Volt Lantern
Osprey Sojourn Porter 46L Travel Backpack
Osprey’s Exos above is one of our favorite backpacking packs, but the brand is similarly well versed in the travel space. From their competitive lineup, we’re big fans of the Sojourn Porter 46L in particular. In short, this pack combines the impressive carrying comfort we’ve come to expect from Osprey with a practical, carry-on-friendly build and feature set for travel. Starting at the outside, you get a rigid foam backpanel with well-cushioned shoulder and hipbelt straps, a handy compression system to effectively cinch things down, lockable zippers for the main compartment, and a beefy side handle for hauling the pack duffel-style. The inside is a similar story with ample pockets of varying sizes, compression straps to keep clothes tidy, and padded sidewalls to help protect valuables during travel. It’s worth noting that the larger 65-liter model is also on sale, although the 46L is our preferred choice due to the fact that it’s carry-on compliant.
See the Osprey Sojourn Porter 46L
Black Diamond Men's Distance 22 and Women's Distance 22
Black Diamond’s running-inspired Distance 22 is purpose-built for mountain athletes whose goal is to cover a lot of ground quickly. The hybrid pack/vest design is relatively streamlined but easily accommodates a day’s worth of supplies (it can even fit a low-profile climbing helmet). Storage is another highlight, including a large stretch-woven pocket at the front for stashing extra layers, trekking pole sleeves along the sides, and multiple chest pockets that allow you to quickly access the essentials without removing the pack. And with its body-hugging shape, the Distance makes it easy to move fast and efficiently—even when navigating challenging terrain like boulder fields and off-camber slopes. The Distance collection also includes 8- and 15-liter capacities, both of which are discounted during the Labor Day Sale.
See the Men's BD Distance 22 See the Women's BD Distance 22
Editor's note: The picks above are just a small snapshot of Backcountry's extensive Labor Day Sale. You can see the full sale page here and support us in the process. Thanks!
